Gum Tragacanth
Item
Identifier
2025.045
Title
Gum Tragacanth
Type
Material
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Description
Gum tragacanth is a viscous, odorless, tasteless, water-soluble mixture of polysaccharides obtained from sap that is drained from the root of the plant and dried. The gum seeps from the plant in twisted ribbons or flakes that can be powdered. It absorbs water to become a gel, which can be stirred into a paste. The use of gum tragacanth dates from pre-Christian times. It used for textile sizing, printing, pastel crayon production, leather curing, furniture polishes, as an emulsifying, suspending, and thickening agent, pharmaceutically as a demulcent (coating) and as a binding agent in pill manufacture, and in processed foods.
Subject
artists' materials; gum; gums; binder; binders
Source
Purchased from Nest Lady Superfood
Copyright statement
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